Philosophy of Mathematics
1st Edition
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Table of Contents
- The Foundations of Mathematics (W.D. Hart)
2. Realism (Mark Balaguer)
3. Aristotelian Realism (James Franklin)
4. Empiricism (David Bostock)
5. Kantianism (Mary Tiles)
6. Logism (Jaakko Hintikka)
7. Formalism (Peter Simons)
8. Constructivism (David McCarty)
9. Fictionalism (Daniel Bonevac)
10. Structuralism (Fraser MacBride)
11. Set Theory from Cantor to Cohen (Akihiro Kanamori)
12. Alternative Set Theories (Peter Apostoli, Roland Hinnion, Akira Kanda & Thierry Libert)
13. Philosophies of Probability (Jon Williamson)
14. Computability (Wilfried Sieg)
15. Inconsistent Mathematics (Chris Mortensen)
16. Mathematics and the World (Mark Colyvan)
Description
One of the most striking features of mathematics is the fact that we are much more certain about the mathematical knowledge we have than about what mathematical knowledge is knowledge of. Are numbers, sets, functions and groups physical entities of some kind? Are they objectively existing objects in some non-physical, mathematical realm? Are they ideas that are present only in the mind? Or do mathematical truths not involve referents of any kind?
It is these kinds of questions that have encouraged philosophers and mathematicians alike to focus their attention on issues in the philosophy of mathematics. Over the centuries a number of reasonably well-defined positions about the nature of mathematics have been developed and it is these positions (both historical and current) that are surveyed in the current volume.
Traditional theories (Platonism, Aristotelianism, Kantianism), as well as dominant modern theories (logicism, formalism, constructivism, fictionalism, etc.), are all analyzed and evaluated. Leading-edge research in related fields (set theory, computability theory, probability theory, paraconsistency) is also discussed.
The result is a handbook that not only provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments but that also serves as an indispensable resource for anyone wanting to learn about current developments in the philosophy of mathematics.
Key Features
-Comprehensive coverage of all main theories in the philosophy of mathematics
-Clearly written expositions of fundamental ideas and concepts
-Definitive discussions by leading researchers in the field
-Summaries of leading-edge research in related fields (set theory, computability theory, probability theory, paraconsistency) are also included
Readership
-Comprehensive coverage of all main theories in the philosophy of mathematics
-Clearly written expositions of fundamental ideas and concepts
-Definitive discussions by leading researchers in the field
-Summaries of leading-edge research in related fields (set theory, computability theory, probability theory, paraconsistency) are also included
Details
- No. of pages:
- 733
- Language:
- English
- Copyright:
- © North Holland 2009
- Published:
- 11th June 2009
- Imprint:
- North Holland
- Hardcover ISBN:
- 9780444515551
- eBook ISBN:
- 9780080930589
- Paperback ISBN:
- 9780444562401
Ratings and Reviews
About the Series Volume Editor

Andrew Irvine
Affiliations and Expertise
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
About the Series Editors

Dov M. Gabbay
Dov M. Gabbay is Augustus De Morgan Professor Emeritus of Logic at the Group of Logic, Language and Computation, Department of Computer Science, King's College London. He has authored over four hundred and fifty research papers and over thirty research monographs. He is editor of several international Journals, and many reference works and Handbooks of Logic.
Affiliations and Expertise
King's College London, UK

Paul Thagard
Affiliations and Expertise
University of Waterloo, Canada

John Woods
Affiliations and Expertise
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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